Program Administrator
Company: Wayne County Government
Location: Detroit
Posted on: January 18, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description WHO WE ARE The Charter County of
Wayne is Michigan's largest county. We are home to 34 cities and
nine townships. From Rockwood to Livonia, from Sumpter Township to
the Grosse Pointes, each community in Wayne County offers residents
and businesses a unique blend of opportunity to live, work, play
and raise families. Headquartered in Detroit, our largest city and
the automotive capital of the world, Wayne County offers a
diversified economy and high standards for our residents' quality
of life. Our history is rich and we take pride in being one of the
most diverse communities that values culture, arts, and world-class
amenities. Wayne County provides leadership that ensures the County
operates efficiently, effectively, and responsibly. We provide
transparently while building a stronger County inclusive of
collaborations, innovation, and a clear focus on serving our
residents. Wayne County Indigent Defense Services Department (IDSD)
Wayne County's Indigent Defense Services Department is developing a
staff of dedicated professionals who are committed to excellence in
criminal defense representation at the trial court level, and equal
access to justice. IDSD is state-funded through annual grants from
the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). IDSD will manage
the transition and then assume responsibility for the entire
indigent defense system in Wayne County's Third Circuit Court,
Michigan's largest trial court handling more than 16,000
assignments of counsel in felony cases that originate in the
county's numerous district courts. In 2020, approximately 75% of
the assignments were handled by about 200 private assigned counsel
who were qualified by the Court to handle cases in four Tiers, or
categories, of cases. The remaining 25% of assignments went to the
Neighborhood Defender Service Detroit (NDSD), Wayne County's new
public defender office. Reporting to the IDSD Assigned Counsel
Administrator, the Program Administrator of the Investigator and
Expert Program will manage access to MIDC funding for investigators
and experts by assigned criminal defense counsel handling felony
cases in the Third Judicial Circuit. Nearly 16,000 assigned cases
are eligible for the services following appointment of counsel, who
encouraged to start immediately following district court
arraignments on the warrant. As with its predecessor Pilot Project,
the Program places approval of investigator and expert service in
the hands of Program Administrator, themselves experienced criminal
defense attorneys. The Program Administrator consult with assigned
counsel on needs of individual cases, provide resources enabling
counsel's selection of particular investigators and experts, and
approve use and payment according to a schedule of fees.
Investigators are available for all cases handled by private
assigned counsel (the Neighborhood Defender Services employs staff
investigators), and experts are available for all assigned cases.
Requests for services and any discussion taking place between
counsel and the Program Administrator is privileged and protected
from disclosure except in anonymous summary form. REQUIRED TASKS
Required Tasks Consulting directly with assigned counsel on needs
for investigation or expert services in individual cases, through
in-person contact, email, and phone. Communicating directly with
investigators and experts, as needed, on continuing needs and
completion of services throughout the case, and payment after
services have been rendered. Preparing reports and recommendations
on use of Program services. Training assigned counsel on the use of
investigators and experts, and collaborating with others to provide
training. Voting member of attorney assignment committee which
includes monitoring attorney compliance with MIDC Standard 3 and
IDSD policies. Additional Tasks Developing and managing collections
of investigators and experts who are willing and eligible to
provide services in assigned criminal cases. Working with other
IDSD staff, developing and maintaining a case management system to
handle a large number of requests and payments. Working with other
IDSD staff, developing a process for verifying the accuracy of
requests for payment, as well as compliance with rate schedules.
Managing an online process for approving requests, paying vendors,
and evaluating the impact of services. Communicating directly with
assigned counsel on continuing needs for services, and satisfaction
with services, throughout the case. Compiling data on use of
Program services. Working with IDSD staff to develop benchmarks and
anticipated budgets for future Program funding requests. At the
direction of the Assigned Counsel Administrator, monitoring the
performance of assigned counsel. Performing other duties as
assigned. Educational/Experience Requirements Juris Doctor (JD)
from an accredited law school. Minimum of 5 years of experience as
a criminal defense attorney. Preferred : Prior work in a role
supporting assigned criminal defense counsel. Job Posted by
ApplicantPro
Keywords: Wayne County Government, Warren , Program Administrator, Administration, Clerical , Detroit, Michigan
